What a week....

So sorry family and friends for writing so late. This week has been crazy. Let me explain. Two Saturdays ago (16 Jan.) Sister Weakley was having really bad back pains, so we made an appointment at the A&E. Within just an hour she found out she had a urinary tract infection. The doctor prescribed her some medication and said the pain should be gone within three days. Three days passed and the pain was still there. It did not hurt as bad but I could tell she was still in pain. I told her that she needed to call Sister Pilkington (President's wife) and make another appointment. After some time she finally called Sister Pilkington and we made an appointment to see the doctor within 30 minutes. At 3:40 we were at the hospital and the doctor asked to test her urine. After they tested it they said that she has a lot of sugar in her urine and that she needed to take a blood test.

After the blood test we were told to wait an hour and a half for the results. At 7:30 we were taken into see a doctor and he told her that she has type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is hereditary. The doctor then said to Sister Weakley that she needed to stay overnight for treatment. I freaked out. The night without a companion was long. For the past year I have never been without one. 

To cut the story short, Sister Weakley has been in the hospital and was released yesterday. S

o that is why I am emailing today. The health system here in England is different then it is in America. You are only allowed to visit within certain hours which are 2-4 and 7-8. I went on exchanges with members and with the other sisters in our flat. It was a long interesting week but I am glad to have my companion again and to get back to work. Sorry this is a short email but hope you all have a good week!

With love,

Sister Garrett

A New Year for New Beginnings!

Wow. I cannot believe it is 2016. Where did 2015 go? It has been a great year though. Full of many miracles and memories.The year 2015 for me, was dedicated completely to the Lord and his work. I have loved every minute of it. I am so grateful I have been able to serve a mission. Of course because it is a new year we as individuals make new years resolutions. I have pondered on what I personally need to improve upon and what I can do is to become a better servant of the Lord. I would recommend that each of you do the same. I love this quote by President Monson: "It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we'll make the effort... It's in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled." Set goals and achieve them. With the Lord's help you can do all things!

On New Year's Eve Sister Weakley and I watched a film. Which we enjoyed every much. On New Year's day itself we went to the beach and took lovely pictures. We also watched some more films at the chapel and had a very enjoyable day.

Here in South Shields we have had a lot of rain. I have never seen so much rain in my life! I understand why England is so green. Other then the weather things here are going well. Sister Weakley and I have been getting to know the ward even

more. We have been trying by members and less-actives to introduce ourselves and to teach them.

Sister Weakley and I have been doing a lot of finding as well. Which seems to have little success as of now but during weekly planning we discussed on how we can find those individuals who are prepared. We have plans this week to try by all of our potentials and former investigators we found in the area book. We are keeping our heads up and working hard. I am sorry my emails have been so short lately but nothing much has happened. Hope everyone is doing well! Keep your heads up and have a great week!!

That missionary in England,

Sister Garrett

P.S. Our ceiling is not fixed yet but it is getting there